Orphan Ella

Last week, I left the kids with a sitter. Ella was still asleep when I left so the babysitter was left with the task of dressing her for the day. When I got home, this is the adorable fiasco of an outfit they had managed to pick out. I'm still deciding what part is my favorite, the bows that look like they were put in while Ella was making a run for it, or the tights (with a hole in the toe) under her jelly shoes.

Birthday Girls

Last week Ella and I celebrated our birthdays together. I was surprised by my dear friends with a morning brunch in my honor. It was beautiful and wonderful. I didn't have a memory card with me so the pictures are on a friend's camera. I will post those pictures when I get them. After the brunch, Renae and Reagran helped me ALL DAY LONG to get ready for Ella's "Barbie and the Diamond Castle" birthday soiree. I was so excited to set up a canopy and have a princess dinner under it with diamonds and butterflies everywhere. Well, my luck would have it that the wind picked up as we were all sitting around the table. For awhile we sat comfortably underneath as the walls of the canopy were rocking. Next thing we knew, the canopy caught flight and flew up and over, hitting my friend in the back of the head before hitting the fence. So we scrambled to get paper plates, cups, food, etc. inside before the wind took off with it. As some were singing songs with the kids, others brought the party into the very unprepared house. We made the most of it, but it was nothing like I had been planning and dreaming about all month. Oh well. I did get ONE picture of the canopy before it blew away.



The very talented Renae helped me make this Barbie cake. I'm so glad she was there to help me with that (mostly I watched...oops).

There were mini barbie cakes for each of the guests to decorate her dress with sprinkles and candies. Don't judge- I know they are not the most attractive of dolls... get over it.

Erin helped me make these headbands to give each one of the girls to wear to the party.

At their place setting, the girls got a mirror with their names on the back of it.

While the mom's got personalized compact mirrors.

On the way out the door each little princess went home with a notepad and pens.

And each Queen (mom) went home with one of these bracelets.

Suncadia

Kent and I went with some friends, Kathy and Jory, to a mountain resort to celebrate my birthday and Jory's birthday- we are only two days apart. We had a wonderful time taking in the view. I fell in love with it there. I decided that is where I want to have Ella's wedding weekend and reception. The whole family will have a weekend full of activities and then a beautiful reception at sunset. I hope Ella is okay with that. :)





We rented mopeds and took a nice ride through the trails. The view was gorgeous and we couldn't have ordered better weather.

Picnic Party

In honor of my friend Reagran, and her love for picnics and everything red, I wanted to post some adorable pictures of some perfectly inspired picnics. This summer, get out with some friends and enjoy a soaking up the beautiful weather.


A few of us got together for a picnic to celebrate Reagran's birthday. Using the inspiration from the pictures above, this is what we came up with. The picnic basket was Reagran's that we stuffed with picnic supplies so she can have a great summer "picnicing" with Annie and Chris.


Can you believe this gorgeous cake that Renae made? Amazing!
(yes- the same person as the Cinderella carriage cake)

New Moon

I know I'm a little behind on posting anything about "New Moon" but here is a picture for you to drool over.

Camp Wonka

The first week of summer break, Ethan spent at drama camp. The high school puts on a week long drama camp for kids from 1st grade to 9th grade. They go from 9 AM to 2:00 in the afternoon. Ethan had a great time learning new songs and meeting new friends. On the last day of camp they performed "Willy Wonka" and it was adorable.


Here they are in their glow-in-the-dark shirts.

Ethan's group did a great job singing their musical number. Ethan is in the red visor on the right side of the picture

Sugar and Spice

Last night I spend some time with my beautiful friend Danae, and her equally as beautiful family. It was such a nice evening. During the "photo shoot" we were joined by friends, who were out enjoying the perfect summer weather in the country.

Dancing Princesses

My friend, Kathy, asked me to snap a couple shots of her daughters on their way to their dance recital. It was my pleasure to spend some quick moments with them as they were loading up the car to head out. Aren't they beautiful girls? They did a great job at their recital. Ella was sad she couldn't go dance with them on the stage.

Seattle

Last weekend, Kent and I took the kids to Seattle for a little family vacation. We ate dinner at the "Rainforest Cafe." After all the trips to Downtown Disney, while we lived in Florida, we never made to the Cafe until now. I think I was as excited as the kids because I always wanted to go there. During dinner we saw lots of people getting the Volcano delivered to their table. A group of servers will call out "Volcanoooooo!" as they bring this sparkling ginormous brownie thing to your table. While we were waiting for ours to arrive, Kent took the kids to look at the fish. I was sitting at the table alone when I heard a group of servers call out, "Volcanooooooo!" and start heading in the direction of our table. "Please don't bring that huge thing to my table as I sit here alone," I thought. Luckily they passed my table and dropped it off for someone else. Kent saw the terror in my eyes and decided to keep the kids at the fish tank a little longer. I sent him a threatening text and they made it to the table before our volcano did. Whew.
The next morning we picked up Steiger, Kent's old mission companion, from the airport. After eating breakfast the boys went to the Safeco Stadium to watch the Mariners game.

While the boys were at the game, Ella and I went shopping, ate lunch and then went to have our nails painted. They even had a little DVD for Ella to watch. Does life get any better? I think not.

When the game ended, we took Steiger back to the airport and then headed to the Family Fun Park. Ethan and Kent did some go-karts and mini golf.

Once again, Ella and I were left to find our own fun.



Ethan joined in on the fun after his golf game.

Ethan's favorite thing about staying in hotels is the pool!